The largest stone statue of Mazu in the world, weighing 1,000 tons, has become a landmark in Shanwei

Mazu, a strange woman who was awarded the world peace goddess by the United Nations, is also a traditional folk belief that has spread in the coastal areas of our country. Mazu culture originated in the Song Dynasty, developed in the Yuan Dynasty, prospered in the Ming Dynasty, prospered in the Qing Dynasty, and prospered in modern times. It embodies a characteristic of my country’s marine culture and affects more than 300 million Mazu followers worldwide. Shanwei is a well-known coastal city in my country. Since the Song Dynasty, there has been a tradition of believing in Mazu. One of the eight scenic spots in Shanwei has the phoenix ritual with the theme of Mazu, and the Mazu Temple was built in the 9th year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty ( 1636), it has a history of nearly 400 years, and the incense has always been relatively strong. Matsu Temple is located on Fengshan Mountain by the largest lagoon in my country-Pinqing Lake. It is one of the main tourist attractions on the Golden Coast in Shanwei. Although Fengshan is not high, it is named after the shape of a phoenix spreading its wings. The mountain overlooks the South China Sea, the water and the sky, the boat is like a shuttle; the new look of the ancient town, the tall buildings, and the green trees, today people are relaxed and happy. Fengshan Scenic Area is mainly composed of three parts: Fengshan Park, Fengshan Ancestral Temple, and Fengyitai Mazu Stone Statue. The Mazu Temple was built in the ninth year of Chongzhen, Ming Dynasty, and was not as large as it is today. Since the decade, the society and overseas Chinese have donated funds for large-scale expansion, newly built Tianhou Pavilion, Bell and Drum Tower and Mazu Stone Statue, as well as Mazu Sacred Relics Museum, Hailufeng Drama Mask Garden, Yujia Customs Museum and Mazu Cultural Square in Fengshan Park. According to Abo, a fellow traveler in Shanwei, the reason why this Matsu temple was built in Shanwei is that Matsu has the reputation of “the god of the sea” and the “goddess of escort”. The local fishermen must first before the ship sails before going to sea. You must first worship Mazu, pray for good wind and safety, and set up the deity of Mazu on the ship. It can be said that “where there are seas, there are Chinese, and where there are Chinese, there are Mazu”, “Mazu is one person in the world, and I believe in Mazu as one family.” Luo Abo introduced to us: Mazu, formerly known as Lin Mo, was born on March 23rd of the lunar calendar in the first year of Jianlong in the Northern Song Dynasty, and died on the 9th day of September in the fourth year of Emperor Emperor Yongxi of the Song Dynasty. Lin Mo was born until the full moon and never cried, so his parents named him “Mo”, so the folks also called her “Mo Niang”. It is said that Lin Mo Niang has been very smart since she was a child. He started learning when he was 8 years old, and learned the meaning of the text after reading the book. At the age of 10, he began to recite sutras and worship with his mother Wang. At 15 years old, he can treat illnesses and help the poor. When she was 16 years old, she took pictures in the well and got a pair of bronze charms, which made her more capable. Since she was born in the home of patrols along the coast, she is familiar with water, can drive boats, pull cables, cruise between islands, and often rescue ships in distress in wind and waves. She also observes the sky and predicts the weather, which laid the foundation for her to eventually become the protector of the sea. The Matsu Temple was built four hundred years ago, but the stone statue of Zuma was built in 1994. It was designed by the Chinese modern sculptor Professor Li Weishi and carved by a famous stonemason in Hui’an, Fujian. The stone statue is 16.83 meters high, weighs about 1,000 tons, and consists of 468 pieces. Made of high-quality granite stone from Fujian’s hometown of Mazu, it is the largest stone statue of Mazu in the world; Coincidentally, the stone statue has been in good weather for more than 20 years since it was built. The typhoon has never hit Shanwei head-on. Many citizens think this is the manifestation of Mazu. At the same time, everyone also thinks this statue is a fine piece of modern Chinese stone carving art. It looks solemn and solemn, but it is full of vitality and vigor, and it is commendable that there is beauty and charm in the luxurious and sacred. Today, this tall statue weighing 1,000 tons has become one of the landmark buildings in Shanwei. Standing on the shore of Pinqing Lake, she silently pays attention to the land of Shanwei, like a goddess who protects this land and its people, making every visitor here awe.